Rung #5: SIZE to RUIN — the solution

The Rung ladder from August 19, 2026: SIZE to RUIN, one letter at a time, every step a real word. Par is 5, with one two-letter leap in hand.

The puzzle

Climb from SIZE to RUIN. Par is the shortest climb through the whole accepted dictionary, counting the leap — two letters changed in one move, once, at the cost of two rungs, so it cannot be beaten. Without the leap the shortest climb is 7 rungs; the leap saves 2.

The walkthrough

A climb that makes par, one of 3 shortest: at every step a single letter changes and every word on the way is one the game accepts.

1. SIZE → SIDE — the third letter, Z becomes D.
2. SIDE → RIDE — the first letter, S becomes R.
3. RIDE → RUDE — the second letter, I becomes U.
4. RUDE → RUIN — the leap: D becomes I and E becomes N, two letters in one move for two rungs.

Other routes as short: SIZE · SILE · RILE · RULE · RUIN; SIZE · SINE · RINE · RUNE · RUIN.

The answer

SIZE · SIDE · RIDE · RUDE · RUIN — 5 rungs, the leap landing on the word in italics.

Previous: Rung #4 (Tue, Aug 18) · Next: Rung #6 (Thu, Aug 20)

About Rung

Rung is Noggin’s daily word ladder: four letters, one changed at a time, par set by the shortest climb there is. Any real word is a rung; a two-letter leap is yours once a day. How to play Rung, or play today’s.